The leader of a breakaway faction of the Movement for Democratic Change, Arthur Mutambara was arrested by the police on Sunday morning at his home in Harare.
"He was arrested for publishing falsehoods and for contempt of court for an opinion article he wrote in April." His lawyer Harrison Nkomo told AFP.
Arthur Mutambara recently pledge to work with main Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai to defeat Robert Mugabe at a run-off election end of this month.
One of his senior allies, former lawmaker Trudy Stevenson, confirmed that Mutambara was picked up at his Harare home by police on Sunday morning and taken to Harare Central police station.
The editor of a Zimbabwe independent newspaper The Standard was arrested last month over the article written by Mutambara which accused president Robert Mugabe of running down the Zimbabwe economy and his security forces of abuse.
His lawyer Harrison Nkomo said he does not expect Mutambara to be brought before a court until Tuesday.
"I'm only expecting him in court on Tuesday as no questioning will take place today. The questioning will only start tomorrow," he said. - AFP
Did anyone ever believed Simba Makoni. At the last minute he came out and announced his intention to contest the March 29 presidential election. His 8 percent vote is what has kept current government in office.
Now he says he is against the election run-off. Why did it take him all this time to decide his position on the election run-off? Just like in the previous election, everything happens at the last minute with him. Just to confuse the situation.
Which reminds me of the comments I received recently from one of the readers of township vibes.
"l have just one concern to raise regarding the foregone elections. Can someone tell me why all of a sudden Simba Makoni has gone quite? Never mind he lost the election. If he was sincere in his Presidential challenge, don't you think by now he should have at least indicated the way forward to the 8% who voted for him? I still seriously think, as l did soon after his entry in the Presidential race, that he was used by Zanu PF to 'split/steal' MDC votes. And it worked otherwise we wouldn't be facing this run-off. I will forever blame Makoni for failing to abide by his professional ethics to save Zimbabwe at a time he was called upon to do so - but instead chose to betray the well-being of millions of Zimbabweans".
He might be right to say the run-off vore has resulted in more violence, torture and killing of innocent Zimbabweans. But ever since the election results were announced, many people have always been against this election run-off. Most people believe Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF rigged the results because of their desire to hang on to power at all cost. Makoni despite having 8 percent of the total vote decided to keep quite.
Now that the two parties still involved, Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe are already campaigning for the forth-coming run-off. Does Makoni expect to change anything? If he was genuine and really wanted to see Mugabe leave office, why then does he not support Morgan Tsvangirai?
He is entitled to his choice but maybe Simba Makoni is also partly to blame for the current crisis in Zimbabwe.
Home is best....and most of the Zimbabweans who have been forced to flee their our country because of violence, torture, hunger and starvation will want to go home one day and experience the nice feeling of being home again.
On his return to Zimbabwe from South Africa, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) president Morgan Tsvangirai said, "It's so nice to be home". And indeed he is back in the country to prepare for the election run-off scheduled for June 27.
Tsvangirai is back in Zimbabwe to prepare for that day, when Zimbabweans will decide their destiny.
Meanwhile our dear president Robert Mugabe has threatened to kick out of the country US Ambassador James McGee. He accuses him of political interference. But in the townships we think the main problem is, the US Ambassador is exposing something that the government is not happy about (all the violence, torture and murder of innocent Zimbabweans).
Our dear president has also been referring to the US state department's diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer as a prostitute. The president said Jendayi Frazer was behaving like a prostitute for suggesting that the MDC won the March 29 elections.
But if the MDC did not win, then who won? Since when did stating the facts equal to being a prostitute.
It has also been reported in some news sources that Robert Mugabe's eye sight is no longer that good. He is said to have complained that even though he would like to read the Herald, he can not do so because the print is too small for his eyes.
But in the townships we don't think he is not missing much by not reading the 'Horrible' newspaper.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
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Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe is reported to have gone to Singapore for secret prostate cancer tests. According to a report in The Times, Mugabe flew to the Far East last week for the medical treatment which is no longer available in his run-down hospitals in Zimbabwe.
Sources in the government said Mugabe had travelled to Singapore to undergo tests for prostate cancer. According to the Times sources, the tests were carried out by one of one of Malaysia's to urologists.
Mugabe has been increasingly turning to the Far East for help since the breakdown of his relationship with the West.
As much as we don't wish poor health on anyone, it is very unfortunate that the president of the country has the privilege of going to other countries for medical treatment whilst the majority of the country just suffer in pain and die.
How many Zimbabweans have lost their lives because of poor medical attention in hospitals and clinics. Some hospitals have been forced to shut down or cut down on their operations.
There are no doctors and nurses in most hospitals, most of then have gone to other countries for greener pastures. For those nurses and doctors still in the country some of them can not even afford to go to work because of the economic problems in Zimbabwe today.
Feel free to leave your comments
This is not a joke! It's not a surprise either!
The Zimbabwe dollar exchange rate has got to ZW$1 billion against the British pound. Well done to Mugabe, Gideon Gono the reserve bank governor and all the Zanu PF sympathisers. They have managed to reduce the country to 'Zimbabwe Ruins'.
How else could they explain this exchange rate - one(1) British pound to
ZW$1 000 000 000.00.
Is it time up for the Zanu PF government? Can they be trusted with running the country's economy anymore.
I put the blame on Gideon Gono, the reserve bank of Zimbabwe governor. He is responsible for the monetary policy of the country. He has been coming up with these policies which have not helped the country at all.
After his introduction of the willing seller, willing buyer exchange rate policy did things get better in the country? NO. They have actually got worse.
If we add the three zeros that Gono removed from the currency the exchange rate gets into trillions. Give us a break!
Gono should get out of the office because he has failed the country. Some may want to place the blame somewhere, but as long as he remains reserve bank governor, he is part of the system which has failed the country.
Showing that indeed he is the people's president.
Movement for Democratic Change president Morgan 'Mudavanhu' Tsvangirai has visited party supporters in hospital on his return to Zimbabwe. A number of MDC supporters have been victims of violence and torture perpetrated by Zanu PF supporters.
Some have been killed for supporting Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC. But is it a crime to support a party of your choice?
Morgan Tsvangirai was also expected to attend the funeral of another killed MDC activist Tonderai Ndira.
Morgan Tsvangirai left South Africa today for Zimbabwe to go and prepare for the presidential run-off vote scheduled for June 27.
Tsvangirai defeated Robert Mugabe in the elections held on March 29 but did not get the majority 50 percent vote, according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
"I'm excited to be home and gearing for the election," Tsvangirai said in Harare. And I think also every Zimbabwe is looking forward to the elections. Could this be the end of all our suffering? Come June 27, are we going to see the beginning of a new Zimbabwe? A new era.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post you comments.
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A Zimbabwean woman is said to have been shot by police with a taser after the armed police stormed the house to end a 29 hour siege.
Police said the Zimbabwean woman was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill after undergoing a medical examination. A police spokesman said the children aged one, two and ten were now being cared for by social workers.
The Zimbabwean woman lived at the house with two young children. A third child, her nephew, was also at the house. Police superintendent Tom Mackinnon said, "police negotiators had discussed 'concerns' the woman had about 'immigration issues'.
Lately the Zimbabwe dollar exchange rate has been very unstable, and in fact it still continues to be unstable, falling everyday against major currencies (today £1 is equivalent to ZW$850 million).
It's problem after problem in Zimbabwe today. The Zimbabwe dollar continues to lose value against major currencies, whilst at the same time it doesn't seem as if the reserve bank have a clue on how to end the fall in value of the dollar.
The Zimbabwe dollar is currently trading at one (1) British pound to ZW$850 million and still falling. The rate changes everyday, so the best is to check for the latest exchange rate before any transactions.
So, what is the future of the Zimbabwean dollar?
I think this is now one of those useless currencies in the world, thanks to Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF government. They have managed to destroyed a once very strong Zimbabwean dollar, now it's valueless.
Even the efforts of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono to control the exchange rate have failed to stabilise the Zimbabwean dollar. He has even tried removing zeros from the currency in an effort to give it more 'value'.
The truth is all his efforts have failed......
So what can stabilise the value of this Zimbabwean dollar?
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comment.
Everyone knows that the government of Zimbabwe is to blame for the current economic and political problems in the country. So, I find it difficult to understand why The Herald newspaper is trying to use the recent price increases as a campaign tool for the regime that has destroyed every Zimbabwean's livelihood.
In a front page article in Wednesday's Herald, the paper wants it's readers to believe that the recent price increases are meant to sabotage the ruling Zanu PF campaign for the June 27 presidential run-off.
I find this as a mischievous and desperate attempt by the government's propaganda mouth-piece to try and get sympathy for the government from the long suffering Zimbabweans. But the people are not stupid, they know who is to blame for this unprecedented suffering.
The Zimbabwe economy is in meltdown, the country is in crisis because of the political problems caused by a regime determined to stay in power at all cost. On March 29 the people of Zimbabwe voted and elected a candidate whom they wanted to lead them out of this Zanu PF created crisis. The defeated Zanu PF party decided not to honour the people's choice and rigged the vote so they can have a second bite of the cherry.
Today the Zimbabwe crisis is even worse, and has even resulted in violence in neighbouring South Africa where Zimbabweans fleeing problems in their own country have been targeted in xenophobic attacks.
Why the government is to blame for the current economic and political problems?
1. The major problem is the corruption which is normal in our government's day to day business. There have been a lot of cases involving government ministers of which nothing has been done to them. In fact the only 'punishment' mostly is a transfer to another ministry.
2. After the government lost in the 2000 referendum, those misguided elements masquerading as war veterans led by one Chenjerai Hunzvi embarked on the often violent farm invasions. They settled themselves in white owned farms and displaced the farm workers. The government allowed these people to destroy the country's agricultural sector, the backbone of the economy.
The government allowed the unproductive people to settle themselves in prime agricultural land were they do nothing but cut trees to sale for firewood.
All this because the government faced defeat from MOrgan Tsvangirai and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
3. Because of personal sanctions imposed on Robert Mugabe and his inner circle of sympathisers for violation of human rights, the government in retaliation decided to cut ties with the IMF and other international organisations.
In their reasoning which was to ruin the Zimbabwe economy, they decided to turn to their Asian friends, namely China and Malaysia. The economic support from the far east has not been enough to sustain the Zimbabwe economic recovery thus the current problems we are facing today.
4. When the government gave in to the demands of the war veterans led by Chenjerai Hunzvi and awarded them large sums of money. They started a catastrophic crumbling of the Zimbabwe dollar and the economy in general. Ever since that day the Zimbabwe dollar has never recovered. In fact it's now nearly valueless, I'm surprised it's still accepted as legal tender.
In an effort to control the dollar's fall against other trading currencies, the government introduced a fixed exchange rate policy. Giving the dollar an artificial value against major currencies.
The Zimbabwe dollar is so useless that most people now charge for their goods and services in foreign currency. Curently the exchange rate is at ZW$850 million to one (1) British pound, and still falling daily.
When the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe decided to change the exchange rate policy to willing seller, willing buyer. That was the beginning of these price increases that the Herald newspaper now want to claim as sabotaging the Zanu PF party by companies. Because prices are now quoted in foreign currency, the more the Zimbabwe dollar is losing value against major currencies, the prices will keep going up.
5. Inflation in Zimbabwe is now over 1 million percent, 80 percent of the population is unemployed and live in poverty.
There is a general shortage of most basic commodities. There is a general shortage of food and many are faced with hunger and starvation.
In most parts of the country they now live without electricity and raw sewage flows in the streets.
There are so many facts which prove that the Zimbabwe government has failed the people and is responsible for the economic and political problems currently facing the country.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
In this post one of My Zimbabwe Today readers shares his views on the violence in South Africa against immigrants, mostly from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. What goes around comes around! The people of South Africa should know that.
It is so sad to read about the violence going on in South Africa and the plight of immigrants. The actions of the South African people are barbaric and uncalled for. Twenty three people are said to have been killed by these South African thugs yet the Thabo Mbeki led government has so far failed to act decisively on the growing attacks on immigrants.
BUT! Behold bretheren. What goes around comes around! Those South Africans do not even know that sooner or later, they are going to be border jumping into neighbouring countries(particularly Zimbabwe) in search of the very same that those immigrants they are burning alive are searching for in their South Africa. (Mark my words!!! and I am no prophet of doom). The failure of ANC and its myopic Thabo Mbeki to quickly and effectively redress this (violence) shall be the very same failure to offer long term opportunities to its disgruntled black population.
These events are but just a tip of things to come. South Africans are still in a phase where they have total hope and belief in their leadership, just like us around those years after gaining independence. They would rather blame increasing unemployment and poverty on IMMIGRANTS rather than their own government's failures. Do you at any point remember any Zimbabwean winging when we had an equally, if not more, influx of South Africans, Mozambicans, Zambians, Malawians and even Nigerians. We shared with them, housed, fed and lived with them like brothers and sisters. What are we getting in return?
Behold bretheren, don't weep and dispare. Instead have mercy and pity for the South Africans for their future is by far worse off than ours. Lets continue to pray that God's blessings are just around the corner for Zimbabwe. The moment the tyrant Mugabe goes on 27 June, 2008 (or a month, 2 months, etc depending on how long Zimbabwe Electoral Commission will want to spend counting the results), then we will all witness a turn around of the Zimbabwe situation. Over-night those Immigrants will disappear leaving the South Africans to revisit their hypothesis that Immigrants (Zimbabweans) are causing them hardships arising from unemployment and a rise in cost of living, among others.
Lets wait and see.
Your are free to contribute to My Zimbabwe Today. I'm always interested in what you have to say. Thanks again to the contributing reader for his comments.
Zimbabwe' annual inflation rate rose this month to 1 063 572 percent based on a basket of food stuffs.
How can we describe the economic situation in Zimbabwe? The economy is in crisis, and nothing seems to be going right in Zimbabwe today. And still Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF government still insists that they are the best in managing Zimbabwe's economy. What a joke!
A 1kg chicken costs ZW$1 billion, bread ZW$200 million and chances are by the time you are reading this the prices have changed again. That is how bad things are in Zimbabwe. Crazy stuff, isn't it?
So, can this get any worse than this? I'm afraid YES. As long as the current government remains in power we are doomed Zimbabwe. June 27 is too far. Add to that the days it will take the Electoral Commission to count the votes, add the days for verification and add the days for a possible recount. Then I may not be wrong to say we are sad for more doom and gloom ahead.
Can anyone tell me how Zimbabwe workers can manage to go to work under these difficulty times? Wages can not increase at the same rate as the increase in prices, which means more suffering for the worker.
Transport costs increase everyday, rent for two bedroom apartment is now about ZW$22 billion, add on that the food costs and other requirements. There is no suffering greater than this.
Soon there is going to be a total collapse in all public services in Zimbabwe. And to think that at such a difficult time for the country, the government can even consider spending whatever little money they have on guns and bombs. It makes me angry. Do people eat guns and bombs?
Zimbabwe is the fastest shrinking economy outside a conventional war zone, with much of the country's savings having been used up in spending without corresponding productive income.
"It is as though a starving man has eaten his left foot and starts eating his right foot to survive in the short term," said independent Harare economist John Robertson.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
George Evans Gwaze a Zimbabwean living in New Zealand was found not guilty of murder and sexual assault against his niece, 10 year old Charlene Makaza.
A jury of seven man and five women took just under five hours to reach it's verdict. The girl who was HIV positive was found dead at Gwaze's home last year. She had lived with Gwaze and his family since the death of her mother when she was seven months old.
The jury returned not guilty verdicts on the murder charge and two counts of sexual violation.
Charlene was found by her aunt in bed having breathing difficulties and was rushed for medical treatment, but died later in the hospital. Medical evidence was given that damage to Charlene's genital and rectal areas indicated she had been sexually assaulted. Sperm from George Gwaze was found in her underpants.
However the defence argued that the sperm may have been the result of an "innocent transfer" in the family's washing.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
Despite all the international condemnation, it seems the Zimbabwe government managed to get delivery of it's weapons from China. It's just so sad that no one can do anything to stop this evil regime from brutalising it's own citizens.
At a time when the country is faced by severe food shortages, lack of medical supplies and a total collapse of the public services, the government decides to acquire guns and bombs.
There have been reports that Zimbabwe deputy information minister, Bright Matonga confirmed that they have indeed received the weapons from China. 3 million rounds of assault rifles, 3 000 mortar rounds and 1 500 rocket propelled grenades. The weapons are said to have been flown to Zimbabwe on a charter plane from Congo.
Is this a government which cares for it's people? They should be ashamed of themselves.
At a time when those barbaric South Africans have been killing Zimbabwean refugees who have fled more violence and persecution by the Zimbabwe government, it is a time we need real leaders.
The South African government led by one Thabo Mbeki is not doing anything to stop the evil against immigrants in South Africa. Now the people are taking the law into their own hands, stopping and asking people for ID cards. This just shows the type of leaders we have in the SADC region.
A South African deputy foreign affairs minister, Pahad Aziz has been in the news saying that the reports from Zimbabwe are over exaggerated. Has he been to Zimbabwe to see for himself what is happening? This is the type of talk from somebody living comfortably in South Africa, whilst Zimbabwean citizens are being persecuted at home and in countries of refuge. Why is it that the South African leaders can not just keep quite if they have nothing to say.
So he thinks information about Zimbabwe has been fabricated?
It is high time Morgn Tsvangirai returns to Zimbabwe and lead the people to their second independence. The people have suffered enough, no one else seems interested in helping the citizens of Zimbabwe, probably if we still had all those minerals, maybe if we had oil, maybe if we had diamond mines.
Hope June 27, the people of Zimbabwe will finally have a chance to decide their destiny and deliver themselves from the violence and torture.
I'm always interested in what you have to say, feel free to post your comments.
Who will save the innocent people of Zimbabwe from this brutality? Ever since the elections of March 29 in which Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF lost to the opposition MDC, the people of Zimbabwe have seen an increase in violence, torture and killings of perceived opposition supporters.
Where is SADC? Where is AU? Where is the United Nations? Where is the international community? As for our neighbour South Africa, God knows how many Zimbabweans wish their president Thabo Mbeki should just keep quite if he has got nothing to offer to the people of Zimbabwe.
Is it that all these organisations and the international community are powerless in saving the people of Zimbabwe from all this brutality? Perhaps only Zimbabweans can help themselves out of this situation, but how?
More than six weeks ago Zimbabweans went to the polls to elect who they want to be the leader of their country. Now six weeks after the elections in Zimbabwe and ahead of the expected run-off (of which the date has not been announced), the Zimbabwe economic crisis is deepening everyday and pushing ordinary Zimbabweans into despair.
Many Zimbabweans had hoped that the March 29 elections could bring an end to the country's' economic problems and the continued suffering caused the current government. Instead prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels living Zimbabweans hopeless and let down by everyone who could help end this crisis in the country.
There are reports and evidence of politically motivated violence and torture in all parts of the country. Video evidence and pictures are available for everyone to see, yet nobody seems to be able to help end this brutal regimes rule of terror.
"Levels of post election violence in Zimbabwe are escalating in Urban and Rural areas and could reach crisis proportions" a UN officials said.
There have been reports from Zimbabwe of a stand-off between the US Ambassador and the Zimbabwe police in the rural community of Mvurwi. All because the American Ambassador visited the area to witness first hand, the violence beatings and torture against Movement for Democratic Change supporters being perpetrated by Zanu PF supporters, government militias (green bombers) and those misguided elements who masquerade as war veterans.
Is anyone ever going to be able to help the people of Zimbabwe from the brutality of the current government, all because they voted for Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC? Where is the International community, where is SADC, AU and UN when the people of Zimbabwe are in the time of need?
Always interested in what you have to say,
The Zimbabwe government has temporarily suspended import duty on basic commodities in a bid to ease the chronic shortages facing the country. The Zimbabwean economy has been in crisis for some years now, characterised by runaway inflation estimated to be around 165 000 percent, high unemployment, chronic shortages of foreign currency, fuel and other basic commodities.
" As a stop-gap measure, the government has therefore suspended duty on basic commodities for a period of 90 days with effect from Monday 12 May," minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told journalist.
Minister Ndlovu went on to say that this was no means a substitution of locally-produced goods as it was only a temporary measure. Funny how these people know that they have failed the people of Zimbabwe but they just don't want to admit that they have messed-up the economy.
" Our people (of Zimbabwe) have been surviving by importing some basic goods to augment local production which has been hampered by sanctions on our country which lead to shortages of foreign currency." said minister Ndlovu
He also said the government will continue allocating foreign currency to help local manufacturers to increase production.
Only goods imported for consumption will qualify for import duty exemption and these include rice, margarine, cooking oil, floor and toothpaste.
The problem with our government is that they do not accept that they have failed, they do not want to acknowledge when they have made mistakes. They would rather find someone to blame for their failures. Because of that they fail to find the right solution to the country's problems. The problem lies within the government it's self, that is why Zimbabwe is in a crisis it is right now. Not because of the sanctions they keep talking about.
Zimbabwe used to be able to provide enough food for it's citizens, and export some to other countries before the government destroyed all that through their mismanagement of resources and corruption by government officials.
- they sanctioned the chaotic and violent land invasions which destroyed the country's agricultural sector.
- through the indegenisation program, they gave production companies to greedy individuals who managed to destroy the companies and in the process destroy the lives of many Zimbabweans.
- How many ministers and some high profile Zanu PF officials have been involved in corruption cases and nothing happened to them. In fact some ministers were transferred to other ministries after looting all finances from another ministry.
(Read more on Corruption cases which destroyed Zimbabwe here)
I'm always interested in your opinions,
Some call it 'The Horrible' .....!
So, could it be the reason why somebody has crippled the government's propaganda machine?
Anywhere, I wonder how many Zimbabweans really care. Maybe the advertisers who have been oiling this government's mouth-piece and making money out of Zimbabwe living in the diaspora, forced to flee problems in their own country.
The Herald newspaper's website has been down since it was hacked over the weekend. Currently the website will re-direct you to the Sunday Mail website another arm of the government's propaganda machine. The state run Herald's website had all it's links replaced with the words 'Gukurahundi' in reference to the government's clampdown on the people of Matebeleland in the 1980s when a lot of civilians were killed by the Korean trained soldiers.
The state owned Herald has always been on a campaign to mislead the people of Zimbabwe ever since the government banned other independent daily newspapers. It is well know for wasting tax payer's money printing pro government propaganda.
Some Zimbabweans oppressed for a long time, and forced to flee hunger and starvation in their own homeland. Hunger caused by the government sanctioned land invasions by those thugs who masquerade as war veterans.
Tired of the current Zanu PF regime rigging elections, using violence and torture to remain in power. Banging on and on about our sovereignty, what sovereignty is there when you are not free to live in your own country?
Tired of the usual propaganda rubbish we get from Zanu PF and it's misguided supporters have been trying to cripple the Zanu PF propaganda machine which could probably explain why 'The Horrible' website is down. Phone numbers of Zanu PF and government officials and their sympathisers have been posted in forums and chart rooms, and blogs have been created in an effort to cripple the regime's propaganda machine.
I wonder how many wish, Western news agencies like SKY News and Al Jazeera could stop giving these so called 'government minister' air time to further their Zanu PF propaganda. While denying the peace loving people of Zimbabwe their right to choose a president of their own choice.
I'm always interested in your opinions, feel free to leave your comment on the hacking of the Herald website and any other matters.
The beautiful side of Zimbabwe. Our country is always in the news for all the wrong reasons these days. However besides all the problems in the country, at least there are still some beautiful things in the country. Zimbabwe has got one of the most beautiful wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls, is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. It is located along the course of the Zambezi river between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is a huge waterfall approximately twice as wide as and twice as deep as the Niagara Falls. The local people call it, "Mosi-oa-Tunya", the smoke that thunders.
The Victoria Falls is a wonderful tourist attraction. It is popular for white water rafting, guided walking safaris, bunji jumping, wild life viewing, sport fishing and many more activities.
The surrounding Victoria Falls Park and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park provides a diverse and easily seen wildlife. They also offer various recreational facilities.
The Victoria Falls resort has quality hotel accommodation. Safari lodges are also available from the luxury camps around the area.
The are a number of tour operators offering a variety of services to tourists visiting the Victoria Falls resort. They also offer a variety of holiday packages to suit the needs of the different visitors.
For more information go to: Victoria Falls Resort
In an effort to end the current cash crisis affecting the country, Zimbabwe's central bank has introduced new higher denomination bank notes. In a televised speech governor Gideon Gono announced that the $200 000 bill, currently the highest value note and equivalent to $6.60 US at the official rate and $0.12 US at the widely used black market will be phased out by January one. The new notes will start circulating Thursday. The cash shortage had seen some people sleeping outside banks in the hunt foe cash.
The reserve bank governor has always blamed the cash crisis on dealers hoarding cash. However it seems there was just no enough notes in circulation. Banks were giving out a maximum of $5 million cash per person and considering how many people were withdrawing money everyday. It shows there was just not enough notes in circulation given that there is no foreign currency to buy the paper to print money.
Read more on the story here
An arranged marriage is a marriage arranged by someone other than the persons getting married, curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. There are different reasons why arranged marriages are done, and also how different socities view the concerpt of arranged marriages.
Some years back the concerpt of arranged marriages was a bit common in Zimbabwe. However with the passage of time with people learning new cultural values and the general quality of life improved, the concerpt was no longer as prominent. But do we see signs of arranged marriages coming back?
There are different types of arranged marriages;
Traditial arranged marriage: There is no courtship in this type of marriage. The parents or matchmaker select the pair. These can be agreed at the first meeting. This was very common long back in Zimbabwe. Do we see it coming back today, yes a lot has happened to our country which may force people into these types of relationships.
Morden arranged marriage: In this case several candidates are chosen, courtship is curtailed or absent. There is no much pressure to agree first time. This seems to be a bit more common now with the use of match making sites.
Introductions only: The son or daughter is introduced to the potential spouse. The children are left to develop their relationship. There is no pressure put on them and there are no time limits to marry. I have had cases of these arrangements very often. These days mostly involving Zimbabweans in foreign countries and those back home. There are different reasons for doing this.
Factors considered in arranged marriages include:
- Reputation of the family, if a family has got a high standing in the community families would prefer their daughter or son to get married in that family.
- The type of profession, level of education and employment status also plays a major part in influencing the family's decision.
- Religion and Wealth, most families would prefer their daughter to be married into a wealth family. Now with a lot of Zimbabweans outside the country, and the worsening economy people will be even looking for their daughters to be married in wealth families. Foregn currency dominates people's lives these days. Some now charge lobola money in foreign currency and even charging cars and cell phones. Gerri at Living Zimbabwe, wrote an article on how people charge these bride prices in Zimbabwe.
- Immigration, families living in foreign countries may prefer their son to get married to someone from their home country. Immigrating to wersten countries has influenced people in different ways. I have talked to some guys who feel they can not get the right type of girls from Zimbabwe in the foregn countries they are living now. Most of the traditional values of how husband and wife relate are no longer there, ever since the concerpt of equal rights came.
It is also common that after a certain age one is expected to get married. If one is not married this may cause problems in the family and mostly women are at a disadvantage because of how the traditional society views them after a certain age without beign married. We also have cases of single mothers or fthers who may also find it difficult to get a partner for different reasons. The concerpt of arranged marriages may work for them.
However even though there are arguments for arranged marriages, the negatives are in the case of child marriages and forced marriages were family and social interests are far more important than that of the daughter or son. What is important is love between the pair and what the future holds for them.
Wehther an arranged marriage for someone living in Zimbabwe and another in a foreign country works, depends on a lot of factors. Hopefully all those in relationships like that will succeed and have happy families.
From Harare Zimbabwe,
War veterans leader Jabulani Sibanda, must have been embarrassed at the recently held ZANU Pf extraordinary congress in Harare, when President Mugabe had to intervene to stop him from addressing the congress.
Remember Sibanda is the same guy who was leading the organising of the one million man and women march in Harare last month. Sibanda was not allowed to address the conference because he is still suspended from the party.
"Musango wakarwa hondo, waive netsika unoita hovhiyo yakadayi taakupedza? Ma wa veterans tinovapa rukudzo rwaka komba, (but) war veterans must be disciplined". said president Mugabe when he was forced to intervene.
These war veterans are really a troublesome lot who seem to think they are above everyone else and above the law.
After running around in Harare during that march, Sibanda must have been seeing bigger things as the elections approach.
Reality stinks
